Cord-adjuster for electric lamps.



J. MoG AVIN. CORD ADJUSTER FOB. ELECTRIC LAMPS. APPLICATION IILEDJUNEI, 1911.

Patented May 21, 1912.

JAMES "McGAVIN, or SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS.

CORD-ADJUSTER FOR ELECTRIC LAMPS.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed June 1, 1911.

Patented May 21, 1912. Serial No. 630,632.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, JAMns MoGAvIN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Springfield, in the county of Sangamon and State of Illinois, have invented a new and useful Cord-Adjuster for Electric Lamps, of which the following is a specification.

The invention relates to cord-adjusters for adjusting the cords of electric lamps to support the amps at diflerent heights.

The purposes of the invention are: to provide in connection with the lamp cord means for raising and lowering the lamp and holding it in any position in which it may be placed.

The invention is illustrated in the annexed drawing to which reference is hereby made and is hereinafter described and finally recited in the claims.

Figure l is a front elevation of the cordadjuster in connection with the cord of an electric lamp; Fig. 2 is an enlarged isometric view of the keeper of preferred construction; Fig. 3 is an isometric view of a keeper of modified construction; Fig. 4. is an enlarged side elevation of a keeper of modified construction adapted for direct connection with the lamp cord; Fig. 5 is an enlarged vertical section on the line X, X, of Fig. 1; Fig. 6 is an enlarged front elevation of a keeper of modified form employing a weighted lever to grip the lifting cord; Fig. 7 is an enlarged axial section through the ball which connects the lifting cord with the lamp cord; and Fig. 8 is a front elevation of a cord-connecting device of modified form.

Similar reference characters designate like parts in the different views.

The lamp 1 is connected with the braided cord 2 in the usual manner. The block 3 is preferably of indurated fiber and has downwardly inclined notches 3 accommodating the separated strands 2 of the cable 2. It also has a hole 3 accommodating the keeper. The construction of the block 3 admits of placing the block in any desired position between the separated strands of the lamp cord.

The keeper of preferred form is of light springy metal and comprises in one structure a ring 4 having flanges 49 which hold the keeper in the block 3, and a curved springy member 5 adapted to press on the lifting cord with sufficient force to support the weight of the lamp suspended on the lifting cord. The inner edges of the ring 4 are 'or other suitable material.

' smooth and rounded to prevent undue wear on the lifting cord which slides through the ring and under the spring member. The

spring member 5 is preferably pressed from the metal of the ring 4 and has an arched part 5 and an inwardly curved part 5 The part 5 serves to guide the lifting cord into the space 5 under the arch 5*. When the lifting cord is in place the arch 5 exerts spring pressure on the cord to prevent latoral}l movement or untimely sliding of the cor Fig. 3 illustrates a keeper of modified con struction, comprising a ring 4 and a spring 5 connected with the ring and having an arch 5 and an inwardly curved member 5" as shown.

While I have shown and prefer to use a keeper adapted to exert spring pressure on the lifting cord, it is obvious that other means may be used to apply pressure on the slidable lifting cord, such for example as the weighted lever 9 mounted on a frame 10 supported on the strands 2*, shown in Fig. 6. I therefor do not restrict my claims to keepers of the precise construction disclosed but wish to avail myself of all substantial equivalents.

The ball 6 which connects the lifting cord with the lamp cord may be of metal, wood The ball has a vertical channel 6 extending from the circumference of the ball to a distance a little beyond the vertical axis of the ball. There is a rib 6 projecting into the channel 6. The braided cord 2 fits snugly in the channel 6 and the rib 6 keeps the ball from slipping on the cord. The placing of the ball on the cord will be effected by bending the cord to conform to the rib 6 and pushing the cord inward until it stops at the center of the ball. This construction admits of placing the ball on the lamp cord without the use of tools. In the ball 6 there are two channels 6 at right angles to the vertical axis of the ball and extending from the circumference to the axis of the ball. The channels 6 respectively accommodate the ends of the lifting cord 7. Knots 7 at the ends of the cord 7 prevent the cord from pulling out of the channels 6. 1

When the wall is in place on the lamp cord 2, one end of the lifting cord 7 will be inserted in the left hand channel 6; the lifting cord will pass through the space 5 under the arch 5 of the spring 5 and the other end of the lifting cord will be inserted in the right hand channel 6. If the right hand member of the lifting cord 7 be pulled downward the cord will slide under the arch 5 and in so doing will lift the lamp 1 to the position indicated by dotted .lines in Fig. 1 and the spring 5 will press on the cord 7 to hold the lamp in its raised position. To restore the lamp to its original position it is only necessary to pull downward on the left hand member of the cord 7.

I have shown and described a ball 6 as, the preferred means for detachably connecting the lifting cord 7 with the lamp cord 2 but within the scope of my invent-ion otherv equivalent means may be employed for the purpose.

' In Fig. 8 I have shown a cord connection of modified construction comprising a spring clip 8 gripping the cord 2 and having perforated lateral extensions 8 so disposed that the ends of the lifting cord 7 may be passed through the perforations and knotted to connect the cord with the clip. Many equivalent devices will readily occur to those skilled in the art, I therefore do not restrict my claims to the precise cord-connecting means herein disclosed.

V I have shown a block 3 having notches to accommodate the strands of the lamp cord and the keeper mounted in the block; a keeper l having a spring 5 may however be directly connected with the cord as shown in Fig. 4, I therefore do not restrict my claims to a block and a keeper mounted on a block, on the contrary I claim broadly a keeper in connection with the lamp cord and adapted to support a slidable lifting cord substantially as set forth.

Having fully described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In a cord adjuster, the combination of a block having notches adapted to accommodate the separated strands of a lamp cord and a hole to accommodate a lifter passing through the block, a lifter passing through the block and connectible with the lamp cord, and a keeper mounted on the block and acting on the lifter.

2. In a cord adjuster, the combination of a block having notches adapted to accommodate the separated strands of a lamp cord and a hole adapted to accommodate a spring; a spring mounted in the hole in the block and adapted to contact with the lifting cord; and a lifting cord having both ends connected with the lamp cord and mounted to slide in contact with the spring.

3. In a cord adjuster, the combination of a ball having a curved channel adapted to accommodate a lamp cord, a rib in the curve of the channel adapted to prevent the ball from slipping on the lamp cord, and two lateral channels in communication with the curved channel and adapted to accommodate the knotted parts of a lifting cord; and a knotted lifting cord having its knotted parts respectively located in the lateral channels of said ball.

4:. A keeper comprising a spring attached to a lamp cord and provided with an arched part; in combination with a lifter having both ends connectible with the lamp cord and adapted to slide in contact with the arched part of the spring ofthe keeper.

5. A keeper adapted for attachment to a lamp cord and comprising a spring provided with an inwardly curved part adapted to guide a lifter into position for control by the spring; in combination with a lamp cord supporting the keeper; and a lifter having both ends connected with the lamp cord and controlled by the spring.

6. In a cord adjuster, the combination of a block adapted to support itself on a lamp cord, a keeper supported on the block, lifterconnecting means adapted to detachably connect a lifter with the lamp cord, and a lifter adapted to traverse the keeper and having both ends connected with the lifterconnecting means.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name at Springfield, Illinois this 27th day of May, 1911. i

J AME S MOGAVIN.

Witnesses M. EVELYN THAIN, ROY G. TROXELL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G.

Correction in Letters Patent No.-1,026,690.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1,026,690, granted May 21, 1912, upon the application of James MoGaVin, of Springfield, Illinois, for an improvement in Cord-Adjusters for Electric Lamps, an error appears in the printed specification requiring correction as follows: Page 2, line 71 for the Word attached read attachable, and that the said Letters Patent should be read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent O fiice.

Signed and sealed this 17th day of September, A. D., 1912.

SEAL o. o. BILLINGS,

Acting Gammz'ssz'oner of Patents. 

